• Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Melbourne Rebels
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Wallabies
    • All Blacks
    • Argentina
    • Barbarians
    • British & Irish Lions
    • England
    • Fiji
    • France
    • Ireland
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Samoa
    • Scotland
    • Wales
  • Women’s
  • World Cup
    • 2023 Rugby World Cup Fantasy League
  • Sevens
  • Schoolboy
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

We want you!

December 7, 2023

Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.

December 6, 2023

Kick starting Super Rugby.

December 5, 2023
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Melbourne Rebels
    3. NSW Waratahs
    4. Queensland Reds
    5. Western Force
    6. View All

    Friday’s Rugby News – 23/6/23

    June 22, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 12/6/23

    June 11, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News – 9/6/23

    June 9, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 8/5/23

    May 7, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 8/5/23

    May 7, 2023

    The Reds narrowly defeat the Wild Knights

    November 5, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Thursdays Rugby News 1/6/23

    June 1, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 8/5/23

    May 7, 2023

    Kick starting Super Rugby.

    December 5, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – A New Dawn

    November 23, 2023

    The Chewsday Chew – anything on LinkedIn?

    November 21, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #16: Roll Up, Roll Up.

    November 20, 2023
  • Wallabies
    1. All Blacks
    2. Argentina
    3. Barbarians
    4. British & Irish Lions
    5. England
    6. Fiji
    7. France
    8. Ireland
    9. Italy
    10. Japan
    11. Samoa
    12. Scotland
    13. Wales
    14. View All

    In from the side – one Kiwi’s view of the final and some musings (opinion) on where the game’s at.

    November 2, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #14: There can only be one.

    October 30, 2023

    Final Live Review: New Zealand v South Africa -Saturday 28 October

    October 28, 2023

    The Chewsday Chew – Brotherhood

    October 24, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: Love thy Neighbour?

    October 19, 2023

    Happy and Crescent’s Thursday Rugby News – Broken Faith

    October 19, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #13: RWC Quarter Finals and Australian Coaching Shenanigans!

    October 16, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: ‘Banzai’

    October 12, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 25/5/23

    May 25, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/11/21

    November 15, 2021

    Monday’s Rugby News – 20/09/21

    September 20, 2021

    Five observations from the Barbarian match

    November 4, 2014

    Thursdays Rugby News 1/6/23

    June 1, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 13/3/23

    March 12, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 20/09/21

    September 20, 2021

    Thursdays Rugby News

    August 19, 2021

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #13: And then there were Two!

    October 23, 2023

    Game Review: England v South Africa – Semi-Final 2 – Saturday 21 October

    October 22, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: Love thy Neighbour?

    October 19, 2023

    Happy and Crescent’s Thursday Rugby News – Broken Faith

    October 19, 2023

    Happy and Crescent’s Thursday Rugby News – Broken Faith

    October 19, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: ‘Banzai’

    October 12, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Anti Wallaby XV (XXIII)

    October 5, 2023

    Game Review: Fiji v Georgia – Pool C – Saturday 30th September

    October 1, 2023

    Happy and Crescent’s Thursday Rugby News – Broken Faith

    October 19, 2023

    Game Pre/Review: France v South Africa – Quarter-Final 4 – Sunday 15 October

    October 15, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: ‘Banzai’

    October 12, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #12: And so the Pool Games come to a close!

    October 9, 2023

    Happy Thursday Rugby News – The RWC Myth

    October 26, 2023

    Happy and Crescent’s Thursday Rugby News – Broken Faith

    October 19, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #13: RWC Quarter Finals and Australian Coaching Shenanigans!

    October 16, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: ‘Banzai’

    October 12, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – The Best of the Rest

    October 12, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #12: And so the Pool Games come to a close!

    October 9, 2023

    Review: France v Italy – Pool A – 6 October 2023

    October 7, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #10: Did we just see the Final?

    September 25, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #15: Who Dares Wins, unless you’re Rugby Australia.

    November 13, 2023

    The Reds narrowly defeat the Wild Knights

    November 5, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – The Best of the Rest

    October 12, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #12: And so the Pool Games come to a close!

    October 9, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #12: And so the Pool Games come to a close!

    October 9, 2023

    Game Pre/Review: Japan v Samoa – Pool D – Thursday 28 September

    September 28, 2023

    Game Review: Argentina v Samoa – Pool D – Friday 22 September

    September 22, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Changing the Narrative

    November 9, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – The Best of the Rest

    October 12, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #12: And so the Pool Games come to a close!

    October 9, 2023

    Ireland v Scotland: Live Chat

    October 8, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – A New Dawn

    November 23, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #13: RWC Quarter Finals and Australian Coaching Shenanigans!

    October 16, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: ‘Banzai’

    October 12, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #12: And so the Pool Games come to a close!

    October 9, 2023

    The Chewsday Chew – anything on LinkedIn?

    November 21, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #16: Roll Up, Roll Up.

    November 20, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #15: Who Dares Wins, unless you’re Rugby Australia.

    November 13, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Schadenfreude

    November 2, 2023
  • Women’s

    Aussie women win Dubai Sevens with a pair of stylish Levis.

    December 4, 2023

    A personal view

    November 27, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – A New Dawn

    November 23, 2023

    WXV 2023 Weekend 3 results

    October 30, 2023

    WXV 2023 Weekend 2 results

    October 22, 2023
  • World Cup
    1. 2023 Rugby World Cup Fantasy League
    2. View All

    We want you!

    December 7, 2023

    Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.

    December 6, 2023

    Kick starting Super Rugby.

    December 5, 2023

    Aussie women win Dubai Sevens with a pair of stylish Levis.

    December 4, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #16: Roll Up, Roll Up.

    November 20, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #15: Who Dares Wins, unless you’re Rugby Australia.

    November 13, 2023

    2023 RWC Team Ratings

    November 8, 2023

    The Chewsday Chew – RWC23 Team of the Tourney

    November 7, 2023
  • Sevens

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Changing the Narrative

    November 9, 2023

    Australia’s Iona College brave but beaten in Rugby Heritage Cup Final

    September 7, 2023

    Brisbane’s Iona College through to the world semi-finals of Rugby Heritage Cup

    September 6, 2023

    Happy Thursdays Rugby News 27/7/23

    July 27, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 20/3/23

    April 20, 2023
  • Schoolboy

    Nudgee College win 44th QLD GPS Rugby Premiership

    September 14, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 24/3/22

    March 23, 2022

    Rugbycology report -Super Rugby AU Round 6

    August 10, 2020

    It all starts with ambition: A schools rugby analysis piece

    August 4, 2019

    Australian Schools Championships – the tradition continues

    July 4, 2019
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 104 – Don’t Talk to Me (DKO Upbeat Funk Remix) w Eddie Jones

    December 3, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 103 – McLennan falls in Coup de Tah

    November 20, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 102 – Upsetting Municipal Councils (+ RWC 2023 GF) w Yowie

    October 24, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 101 – A Little Bit Of Chaos w Happyman

    October 12, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – The Best of the Rest

    October 12, 2023
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Super Rugby»Melbourne Rebels»Review: Blues v. Rebels – Job Half Done
Melbourne Rebels

Review: Blues v. Rebels – Job Half Done

Stuart FazakerleyBy Stuart FazakerleyMay 12, 20132 Comments0 Views
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

A brilliant second half by the Melbourne Rebels couldn’t make up for the mistakes of the first, going down 36-32 to the Blues in an 11-try pie-fest in Auckland.

They’re Jekyll and Hyde, these Rebels. Depending on when you switched on the television, you would have seen some of the most laughable attempts at defence possible, as opponents just waltzed through the outside channel to score, or some of the most exciting attacking plays in the competition, made possible only by a team willing to throw everything they’ve got at the opposition.

I wrote last week that the Rebels were coming, and that parts of the puzzle were starting to click together. I still believe that, but for the Rebels, it almost entirely depends on which Rebels team shows up, and when. If the team from this match’s second half shows up from kick-off against the Stormers, that might be enough to take the win, even if sloppy defence rears its head later in the match.

The job of making the Melbourne Rebels into a serious contender is half done. They just need to decide which half.

The Match

From kick-off, it looked like teams were going to have to resort to putting the ball underneath the sticks, with James O’Connor and Chris Noakes missing three straightforward penalties in the first 10 minutes. Frank Halai opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a great run out left, but again the kick was missed.

The Rebels hit straight back, with Ali Williams fumbling the ball into the hands of Nick Phipps, who sent it to Scott Higginbotham for the line break. He sent a quick pass to Mitch Inman, who drove himself over the line for the try. The kick was skied for the fifth time in succession.

From here, the Blues took control of the game. The catalyst was a very dubious try given to Francis Saili, who looked to have knocked on an offload from Rene Ranger before chipping and chasing the ball down over the line. To the bemusement of even the New Zealand commentary, the try was awarded, and again the kick was missed.

The Blues again took advantage of sloppy defence by the Rebels, putting on sustained pressure before Charles Piutau sent a wide ball to Frank Halai for his second. To the Bronx cheers of the Eden Park fans, Noakes converted for the first time in the match.

James O’Connor looked to go down after that try, clutching at his chest, and his cause wasn’t helped by a rampaging Rene Ranger running straight into him when he first got up. He immediately left the field and went later for scans. Francis Saili was in again in the next phase, going underneath the posts to almost no defence from the Rebels. Noakes made the kick with ease.

The Rebels were down to their fourth-choice 10 before half-time, with substitute Angus Roberts leaving the field with a dislocated shoulder, replaced by debutant Bryce Hegarty.

Scott Higginbotham was able to capitalise off another Ali Williams mistake at the kick-off and score a second try for the Rebels, but it was immediately cancelled out by a third try to Frank Halai, who received the ball from Rene Ranger and had half the field and only Cooper Vuna to beat. 29-10 at half time.

The Rebels looked like a different team in the second half, immediately putting pressure on the Blues line. Both Scott Fuglistaller and Scott Higginbotham looked to be over soon after the restart but were deemed to be held up. A surprisingly stable scrum and great forward work in open play soon sent Lachlan Mitchell over at the expense of Rene Ranger.

Save for a questionable drop goal attempt by Baden Kerr, the scoring opportunities started to dry up in the middle of the second half, but the Rebels were playing like men on a mission. The Rebels had to wait until just past the hour to be rewarded for their dominance, Higginbotham taking a quick tap at a penalty, Phipps throwing a bullet to Mitch Inman, who is unbeatable within 5m of the line. Jason Woodward scored his first conversion for the Rebels and, suddenly, they were within a converted try.

They would creep further into the match minutes later, with the Blues pinged straight in front for offside. Woodward took the ball and pointed for the posts. The successful penalty got the Rebels within 4 points with 13 minutes remaining.

Luke Braid would prove the saviour for the Blues, coming on and having an immediate impact. He turned over a Rebels ruck in their attacking half, then made the break as the Blues got their first attacking chance of the half. Charles Piutau sent it to Rene Ranger, who touched down for a crucial try to the hosts.

The Blues would soak up enough time between then and the whistle to secure the win, but the Rebels would not be silenced that easily. From a scrum on the halfway, Mitch Inman made a splendid break before curling a pass around Ranger to send Jason Woodward over, securing a deserved double bonus point result.


[one_third last=”no”]

The Game Changer

Luke Braid‘s 55th minute entry into the game saved it for the Blues. He turned over a Rebels ruck deep in their attacking half, then proved crucial in the try that followed, giving the Blues the buffer they needed to win.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]

The G&GR Rebel MOTM

Mitch Inman. He is coming along in leaps and bounds at the Rebels in 2013. Inman has found a new element in his running game, able to pick gaps in the opposing line with ease. In addition, he is simply unbeatable within 5m of the line.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]

Wallaby Watch

James O’Connor’s sternum copped a few big hits in succession against the Blues, and he came off in obvious discomfort. The results of scans could have a major impact on the Wallabies’ chances, especially with Kurtley Beale still at a crossroads.
[/one_third]


The Details

[one_half last=”no”]BLUES 36
Tries: Frank Halai 3, Francis Saili 2, Rene Ranger
Conversions: Chris Noakes 2, Baden Kerr

[one_half last=”yes”]MELBOURNE REBELS 32
Tries: Mitch Inman 2, Scott Higginbotham, Lachlan Mitchell, Jason Woodward
Conversions: Jason Woodward 2
Penalties: Jason Woodward [/one_half]

slide
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleAIC Round 3: Eddies run over Ashgrove, other results and table.
Next Article Photo Gallery: Reds v Sharks
Stuart Fazakerley
  • X (Twitter)

Stuart Fazakerley is an enigmatic prop/inside centre for the Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies, who holds records for the most tries scored inside both a Super Rugby and Rugby Championship season. Outside of Rugby Challenge on Xbox, Stuart is a general battler who has been spreading the word of the game they play in heaven from all the benches he warms.

Related Posts

Kick starting Super Rugby.

December 5, 2023

Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – A New Dawn

November 23, 2023

The Chewsday Chew – anything on LinkedIn?

November 21, 2023

Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #16: Roll Up, Roll Up.

November 20, 2023
GAGR Podcast
Our Picks

Kick starting Super Rugby.

December 5, 2023

Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.

December 6, 2023

We want you!

December 7, 2023

Aussie women win Dubai Sevens with a pair of stylish Levis.

December 4, 2023
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Don't Miss
Rugby

We want you!

By HossDecember 7, 202310

G&GR is looking for writers to join the team for 2024 who can provide weekly…

Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.

December 6, 2023

Kick starting Super Rugby.

December 5, 2023

Aussie women win Dubai Sevens with a pair of stylish Levis.

December 4, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news from Green & Gold Rugby.

About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Kick starting Super Rugby.

December 5, 2023

Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.

December 6, 2023

We want you!

December 7, 2023
New Comments
  • Damo on We want you!
  • Yowie on Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.
  • Dally M on Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.
  • Reds and wallabies fan on We want you!
  • Dally M on Your Fast 5 Rugby Fix.
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2023 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.